Physical movement in today’s time is becoming crucial. It not only helps with attaining physical fitness but also with better mental health. Finding the right studio and team who understands the unique and personal approach, has immense knowledge, and leads with empathy, is important. Caitlin Bovée, owner of Pilates in Guelph, is one such Pilates Program Director who has transformed the fitness journey of numerous individuals. Caitlin dedicates herself to developing innovations that empower her and others to enjoy a life of body awareness, free movement, and restorative practices.
An Empowering and Inspirational Journey
Caitlin Bovée has been in the fitness industry for over 25 years. She was athletic from a young age and enjoyed team sports, solo activities, movement, and dance. At 18, she started teaching fitness through the YMCA/YWCA. She completed a Bachelor of Arts and Science from the University of McMaster. She also completed her Matwork and Equipment training at Body Harmonics, Toronto, in her early twenties.
At the age of 25, she suffered from a stroke on her right side and received the chance to use her post-rehabilitation knowledge to heal herself. This life-changing event gave her a different perspective on health and fitness. She started mainstream fitness with a Group Fitness certification, Personal Trainer certification, and coaching team sports. Through Pilates based movement, Caitlin found a movement modality that could meet her where she was at. She found healing through movement and wanted to create a space where others could heal their negative experiences and injuries and support their body through movement. In 2007 & 2009, Caitlin was nominated for the Women of Distinction award through the YMCA/YWCA of Guelph by her clients and colleagues.
The Simple and Intricate World of Pilates
At Pilates in Guelph, Caitlin leads a team of talented and similarly-minded instructors who provide leading-edge instruction through mat, reformer classes, and private sessions. Caitlin is fascinated by the intricate and detailed work of the Pilates exercises, and how profoundly simple exercises can relieve pain, restore movement, and empower.
Finding Healing through Fitness
Pilates in Guelph is a health and fitness studio. It aims to guide individuals on a transformative journey through a Pilates-based movement, nurturing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The studio embraces the latest fitness research and honors timeless Pilates traditions, creating a warm, welcoming community where everyone treats each other with respect and compassion. Its personalized approach meets each client’s unique needs, fostering holistic transformation. The
passionate instructors continually develop to offer innovative and effective movement experiences.
The studio offers small class sizes, private lessons, and highly respected Body Harmonics Pilates instructor training to ensure one achieves the movement goals. It strives to guide and nurture each client, committing to their personal transformation.
Pilates in Guelph is committed to maintaining a nurturing and educational environment. This applies to each client, whether they are in a private lesson, small class, or teacher training session. The goal is to ensure that every individual receives an enriching experience to enhance their own personal movement. It is a tight-knit community with almost 25 years operating in Guelph. Their motto is – “You don’t work out , we TRAIN for life.”
Constant Growth and Success
For Caitlin, having her daughter, who was 25 weeks premature in 2012, was an eye-opener. Her inability to plan for her business because of this circumstance forced her to make changes so the studio could operate without her. This pushed her to take the studio to the next level, which triggered its growth.
Caitlin Bovée believes innovation and an ability to think outside the box is essential for any business. She looks at industry outside of Fitness to learn and create a viable and supportive business for staff and clients. The fitness and health industry is constantly evolving, requiring constant re- evaluation to adapt to changes. She constantly seeks new challenges to ensure the studio’s growth. She says, “When I see stability with growth happening without me, I know we are ready to move on to the next goal.”
Mentorship through Teamwork
Caitlin Bovée believes that mentorship and development of the instructors at her studio is the top priority. Something that as a business owner, mother and wife, she has found difficult to do. She shares her gratitude to the team of senior teachers who help to mentor and guide the newer teachers in the studio. She is currently working on a 12-week program to assist all movement educators to succeed in their business.
Leadership Philosophy
Caitlin Bovée believes in leading with kindness, curiosity, and respect. Taking extreme ownership of everything that happens in the business and making sure to provide the team with the tools necessary to complete the task is important.
